3..2..1.. On air!

This week in D-town, my video production class all hands on deck are in the process of getting ready for our first official broadcast. We had one broadcast previously, but only the senior d-town people and our teacher headed it off and it was mostly prerecorded, this one is going to be live. I got put on the tech team specializing in sound. I singed up to be part of tech crew, but in a different area. Honestly I was really scared to be on sound, it felt world's away from what I was familiar, also our teacher kept stressing that if anyone ever mentions how they couldn't hear it was the fault of those in charge of sound.
As I have learned though, how to set up the microphones, do sound checks, fix the volumes etc, it's not as hard as I thought, and even if it was hard I think it was so special (to be able to do it) and it was a great learning experience, move out of my comfort zone and do this thing I was scared about, because I don't think I have had the courage to do something that scares me recently.
On another level i have intensely enjoyed being part of the broadcast team. Working with a group of people who where all enjoying this as intensely as I was, over 30 people working seamlessly to put on this, basically (in my opinion) work of art. I feel in the past few weeks I have been pretty down, not to the point of depression, but not the sheer excitement and joy I felt at the beginning of the year. Just slugging through my routine, getting my work done, turned in, memorizing facts, doing house hold chores, reading (a lot), but not enjoying it, but that one hour in D-town I really enjoyed. Additionally I woke up excited to go to school, to get to work on the project which is practically a foreign concept. You probably am noticing I am now talking in the past tense and that is because I didn't have time to post this entry when I wrote the first part. (yes I could stop now, delete, and rewrite, but why? I like this entry).
Today we had our broadcast. It was awesome! Everything went pretty well, I had just had to laugh through most of it's it's crazy what a random group (I mean we have everything from football jocks to amazing artists on the team) can put together in a 21 minute broadcast. Anyhow here is the link if you want to watch FYI there is NOTHING spiritual about this broadcast (unless you try and think about it in a certain way) but I wanted to share it will all you who are reading my life story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odh2O0o2GkA&feature=g-all

THANKSgivng

Happy Thanksgiving all, only one day late!!! I have so many things to be thankful for. So I shall just state thank you existence, and Swamiji!

There is one thing I would like to talk about, and thank in particular though. An event that changed my life. What? I got a dog. Well actually my family got a dog, but you know, same thing. I have had dogs my whole life, I was born at home with a dog (Carmen) in the next room, My first word? Dog leash. I swear I'm not kidding. When we moved to Ohio Ashram in 2008 we gave all our pets including our two dogs, Rosie and Bojangles, away. That has always been the sore point about our move, friends? I could deal with, new house? It's a house, but the dogs....
When we moved into our own house in 2009 we could conceivably get dogs again, but my parents where done with that part of our life. The long walks twice a day, fenced in yards, hair everywhere. I wasn't though, I was just waiting for the day I could get a dog again. Then on Tuesday we got a call. "would you like Bojangles back?" No reason just that call. The funny thing is my want for the dogs had seriously increased when my friends talked about their dogs I would get teary eyed, and I spent long minutes at those friends houses fondling over their dogs. Long story short we have Bo back. A medium sized Golden Retriever/ Irish setter mix. He is getting quite old 13, in fact (91 in dog years) but is exactly the same, albeit slower and with a more pronounced limp. Here is a picture of him, and I. So thank you countless times Swamiji you have made this the most thankful thanksgiving ever.

Here's a picture Bo and me, taken today by my mum.

A Total First

Today I had my first official driving lesson. My mother taught me, in a large parking lot for a business no open on weekend. It went pretty well, the parking lot was comprised of many smaller parking lots all parallel to each other, so I only got up to about 24 mph, and got in A LOT of turning practice. I only had one small mishap, although it wasn't even that, I pressed the gas a little to hard, turning the wrong way and nearly hit a trash bin, but mum screamed at me, and I missed it so... that was OK.
One interesting thing did happen though, I got stopped by the police. Yea, how many people get stopped by the police in their first HOUR of driving, it wasn't for anything bad though. He was just wondering why we had been slowly meandering around the parking lot for over an hour. I guess if I was a board (or not) police man I would have stopped me too. Anyway he did an official "check up" on me, mum, the car, the owner of the car (dad) the insurance etc. (I could hear it all though his walkie talkie thing. He then gave me a quick driving tip, told me good luck and went away.
Let me add he didn't just coast up, he had the lights flashing, so I guess I should have said in addition to starting, stopping, and turning I had a lesson in what to do when the cops pull you over which is always useful, right?
I always imagine cops going home to their house that has their wife who just finished cooking dinner, and his kids, about age 10 and sitting down at a big oval table and the cop telling his family of that days stories "Today I stopped a girl who was just learning how to drive, her first hour" he might say. Probably really unlikely, but hey that's what goes through me head. Check back in soon, I have another lesson in the parking lot tomorrow and a Holiday parade to march in for band. (Last year there was a camel at it!) so more stories!

Photo Credits: me!!! It was taken from a school bus window, which is a motor vehicle like a car... get it?

An edible step in life

Over the course of my four years (well a little less then that) of being around the temple the only jobs I have ever done were a Pooja assistant and doing the pictures and videos. Both jobs are very nice in their own ways, but I feel a lot that they do not directly help OUR temple. Today though I did something that totally shifted my volunteering contribution. I became an anadattaa in other words I cooked Swamiji's dinner. Big. For me at least it was a simple meal, but came out pretty well in my opinion. It makes me feel though that I have taken a big step in life. Cooking is something the adults do, something very mature. Not that I want to grow up super fast or anything, it's just well it is a good, so there!

Changes in the Temple

Hello Readers,
Although I have already written about some changes that have occurred in my life (the shift out of band, the end end of term) yet more changes have occurred in my "other" life. Temple that is. To promote the meditation side of our temple we have cut back on rituals and spend more time flyering, and doing talks and programs. That is good and all, and I am sure it will help, but it caused a big shift in how I look at things. I think I have felt sort of frustrated the past few weeks with the weekly Anandaswara Abhishekum, juggling doing the video, helping with it the alankar, trying to block out the noise of rituals while editing and so fourth, ignore the people walking back and fourth (I edit the videos right in the temple shrine). But today although I can say it was quite nice, and I got done faster just to do the video, I missed doing, well, helping with the abhishekum. It's not even physically helping out with the abhishekum, but being in the area with a high energy frequency then usual seems to recharge me.

Old Memories

Every year the school were my dad works, and were I went for my elementary education holds a soup supper to help raise money for the school. So last night I went and it was quite fun, I spent the evening hanging out with old friends (this is the town I lived in for nearly 13 years) meeting their new friends, catching up on all the high school news etc. Very fun. At the end of the night when everyone was wiping the bits of soup with hunks of homemade bread a slide show was show showing pictures from who knows when, but a REALLY long time ago. It was much tear wiping and sniffling as everyone gathered in that room watched the history and present of the school that built up part of their childhood when it was over my good friend Lara turned to me and another friend of ours Clair and goes we have to go outside. And so we did. We went and sat or climbed on, or swung on every piece of playground equipment chatting about what we used to do, and how we did it. A friend of Lara's John was there as well and he took pictures of us reminiscing.
As we left the town pulling down the main street of shops the pear trees lining the streets festively decked out in strings of white lights a small part of me wished I could have finished growing up in that town. Go to a 200 person high school vs my 1500 person one. Been able to bike to school everyday, and walk to friends houses rather then get a ride everywhere, but I realized if I had grown up there, I would just be an average teenager from yellow springs. I probably wouldn't be spending evenings at a Hindu temple, getting to talk to Swamiji, or even go to India. Everything would have been different, and honestly even if it's harder I would never give up what I have gotten the past few years living in this central Ohio town for going back to little Yellow Springs.

Melting my heart

Right this second i am sitting in the basement of the temple on the soft carpet. Before my very eyes is Swamiji on the screen preforming darshan. Every movment of his so presice and exact. His back straight hair black, thick, and full. All of this i observe from the front row in the temple Ananda Sabha. currently the newst and latest program eN Relationships is closing it's first session of the weekend. The program went all night long. I stayed for the first until about one am and the last part. Oming in about 11:45 am. I am as usual the photographer for the event, which means that I have the most amazing oppertunity of sitting in for darshan. Sitting here and watching Swamiji go through the beautiful movments of darshan
The only I can think about is wanting to go to India and see him there be in the wonderful spiritual energy center of Bidadi ashram. It has been a little under two years since i last saw Swamiji in person February of 2010. But at least we have this video conferencing which is better then nothing!

Thoughts and Silence

Dearest Readers,

Many things and changes have come about my life since last I wrote. I have thought about writing about them, tried to visualise putting the words to paper (keyboard) many times, but never could bring myself to do it. I am still not ready to go into detail, it's not a matter of ready or not, it's just this isn't the time. To breifly state I have had a lot of inner conflict about my life, values, and so forth. I feel they are not 100% under my belt, but I am definetly getting there. There is something today though that gave me courage to keep on the harder path of a spiritual life. See it's so much easier (OK I am going into this a bit) to just do what all the other girls in my school are doing, do what they do, just fade away from the teenage uninhabited temple. Today some friends of mine came over for tea (see, I will never be your average teen) and we were talking about ... I don't even remember but we got onto the topic of falling asleep. My two friends were talking about how it's always hard for them to fall asleep because they think so much and cannot quiet there thoughts down. Now I will not venture to say that I am livivng in the present state, but I barely think, and I do feel there is a clear shift in my thoughts, also, when I want to stop thinking before sleep I just do!! Done. Finshed. Complete! I know it hasn't always been this way, when I was younger I would have to listen to music to fall asleep, I think because focusing on it would quiet my mind.
That's all I have to say, thought you might find it interesting. Remember to comment!!!

Photo Credit: My mother, taken on halloween night while trick or treating.

Fun and Flutes

Hey readers,
Well we had our last and total band event night as we preformed our "Zombie Appocolipse" show for our home crowd. Following that once everyone else had left almost all the flutes stayed and we had a sleepover in the band room to celebrate the end of marching band season. It was by far one of the craziest nights I have ever excpirenced. We had countless twister games, played and go seek for over an hour, and the highlight in my opinion had a cotton ball war. What we did for that was take the head joint off our flutes then put a cotton ball in the end. You then proceed to cover the opening with your mouth and blow hard and quick. At this point the cotton ball comes shooting out the end. It was hillarious all of running around pelting each other with these tiny white balls of fluff. We finally to sleep somewhere between four and five in the morning before waking up at eight fifteen to a yummy breaky of pancakes and mashed potatoes. I'll write again soon so check back in!!

The Last Competition

Dear Reader,
Last night my marching band preformed at our last competition of the year, my favorite Tri-Vally. This competition was our last chance of getting a one and going states, but we didn't make it. As we walked the long way from the feild to buses, my arms linked with my friends all i could feel was frustration and anger. Since the first of August I had worked to get to States, the biggest acheviment for any high school band. As a team we had suffered through blazing sun and we marched back and fourth across black asphalt in our first few weeks of practice. Pouring rain as fall set in, hudddld in our black raincoats our intruments practically up our shirts to stay dry, freezing cold tempertures wrapped in scarves, hats, gloves and coats at practice. Sickness: continous racking coughes for weeks. All of this, and yet somehow we didn't make the cut. When we got on the bus a few people were practically steaming, some were crying. I called my mom who told me anout Swamiji's message the previous night. "you can never look at the outcome" she told me "that will get you no were". So i wrapped myself in my blanket and settled down because she was right, well Swamiji is right, of course. You really can't look at the outcome just the excpirence and what not. Despite the end i had and amazing three months with my fellow band geeks braiding hair, taking pictures, goofing off, more lunches then I can count sleeping on buses, it may sound simple but it was beyond some verbs, nouns, and ajectives. This 2011 marching band year. So now we will spend the next week putting on a "kick butt" senior show to quote my friend Catherine.

band, grades, and braids

Hey people who are hopefully reading!

So I dive back into blog world for another swim with all of you, whoever all of you are. I just wanted to give a quick summery on what's been going on lately. 1. Band our band has gone to two competitions so far. We should have gone to three, except that since it has been raining so much our second one got canceled. At both we have gotten solid twos (OMEA translation for excellent)but have not qualified for states, or scored in the top three of our category. It has been a really cold season, although learning from last year I have gotten quite adept at the art of layering gloves, shirts, sticking scarves underneath uniform etc. We have our final competition at Tri-Vally this Saturday. If we get a one we will qualify for states, if not the band season will be over for the year, except for the senior show, which is a totally different ball game. On the one hand I think we have a fair chance of getting to states, we have the talent, on the other it's not guaranteed.
Grades. For some reason i thought I wasn't doing to well this year, I don't know why I just did. I went with my parents to Parent Teacher conferences though and it turns out I am actually doing REALLY I have A's in almost all my classes including math! Yes I am some how good at math this year, so thank you for all your divine help last year Swamiji, it paid off. Besides that schools is just so so. The one class I really enjoy is D-town the other I just go though, with no real sense of enjoyment or hate. I am trying to be positive about them though.
Braids, well really it just sounded kind of cool up there and gave me an excuse to use the picture above, which is a hairstyle I did a few weeks ago on a friend in band. I have always been great with string, and braids and all sorts of things like that, but for the first time my talent is becoming really useful. In band I get to braid a lot of the girls' hair so they can put it under their hats the pictures above are an example. Step one was pictures one, and the finished product,picture two. OK readers got to get on with the rest of my night good bye!

Young and Stubborn

Hey Readers!
Havn't been able to think of anything to write, but had a very interesting session with Chevy at the stable today that revealed some intriguing things, and also gave me a new project. The thing with Chevy, that young black horse, is she won't lunge, or really round pen. As soon as you attempt to get her to circle around you on the rope, on her own, without pulling her head she just stops and won't move. It's like she shuts everything out, until she get's her way. I have never seen an animal act that way before just like a teenager plain stubborn, "I will not do this". Of course the most important thing in the world in not to run in a circle, in the future she will need to learn how, but for now other plans have come into place.
After using Chevy in a movie for my video production class I realized she is perfect on camera, besides being beautiful she is quiet, doesn't spook and is smart, I decided I wanted to teacher some tricks. Silly ones such as bowing, laying down, nodding on command. For me I thought it would just be fun, but I talked to Jessenia about it today, and she thought my idea was perfect, but thought farther then I. If we can clicker train her to do tricks on command first she will have a job which will give her some purpose at this stage in an area were she doesn't go in stubborn mode and the other thing if we can get her to easily respond to cues, signals and tricks, with treats and clicker and stuff we can basically trick train her into doing what normal horses do, such as trotting in a circle around a stationary human holding a rope (ooooo exciting!) I have always loved training horses and with marching band coming to an end this will be a great project to undertake. I start next week! Updates soon!

Class, Pride, Enthusiasm

In band we have this cheer we say at the end of every practice or performance. Our band director says "Pacer band has...." and we (the band) say Class! and then Pride! and finally we say enthusiasm!
Last year I feel I wasn't totally into everything I did, maybe I was nervous, probably, but what ever the reason I made a strong sankalpa or intention to be enthusiastic about everything. I have always admired people enthusiastic about everything, well you know to a point. The number one person who is like this is Swamiji he is just gets so excited about what he does be it conducting a meditation class or taking a walk. And when he isn't "excited" about it he is enthusiastically board looking. Maybe that is just my view, but I love that quality in Swamiji. So far I have done a pretty good job, when I am somewhere I just really try to enjoy it, now I am not saying I am perfect there are still times I get very annoyed, board, frustrated. (Such as cleaning the bathroom, and sitting through an hour of notes in Biology, or when I have no time for something and have to do it anyway) but I am getting there, and I will get there. And really if your going to live life, then why not enjoy it? Enjoy every minute of it! Yesterday I helped to chaperon the local "intermediate" school homecoming dance. (5th and 6th graders) it was a fundraiser for my video production class and the school newspaper. There were about 770 kids and really loud music, the pizza was horrid, and I almost got hit by balls at least four times. ( I was supervising their "play" area.) But I had SO much fun, when I took my shift in the dance area, I danced, and when I was outside I thoroughly enjoyed kicking the balls around, chatting with other chaperon es, and running across the court, dogging flying footballs to deliver message, and who says no to free food?
Today is another full day of band events, even though it's Saturday, but I'm gonna have fun with it, so check back in soon there will be more!

Photo credit: my sister at Lake Michigan this summer.

Instant Recovery

Every year around this time of year sickness breaks out in school and more noticeably in band. You're out of that field and at times all you can hear is sniffling, coughing, and sneezing. My fellow flutes talking about all the cold medicine they had this morning, and how many tissues they've used, not exactly pretty. On Monday I could feel something coming on, by Tuesday at the end of band practice, I was really tired, came home and simply rested for an hour, something I haven't done in a while. Usually when I get a cold I avoid the traditional American cold medicines and take my mum's favorite Aruvedic remedy a paste of turmeric and honey. The stuff works, for you have to take it six times a day and it tastes disgusting x100. When I told my mum she had better do something for me Tuesday night she made me take this new remedy she has. The name is really long I don't feel like spelling it all out, but it's basically a paste of healing herbs and plants, with Cinnamon sugar, and honey. I can't say it tastes good, but immediately after taking a spoon tip of it I felt better.
Also I have been doing the traditional Vedic netti pot. Basically (I'm sorry if this sounds totally gross) you use the "pot" to pour light salt water up one nostril and down the other. What it does is totally clear the sinuses. After three days of taking the paste twice a day and doing the netti pot every morning I am all better! Just three days, when normally I would have had a cold for weeks.
So not to bore you all with my details of strange medicines I wanted to just state again how the vedic tradition has so many hidden sciences that most of the world doesn't know about and then just suffers. While just by taking a simple concoction and pouring saltwater in my nose I am all better. Hope you enjoy reading many more posts soon!

I don't know

I don't know what happened last night but I totally fell apart. Band was let out early and I couldn't get a ride home and when I got home finally (after finding a ride) and just lost it i tried for about two hours straight and was just really upset. It was a mixture of a lot of things partly maybe since I hadn't really eaten that day, I don't know what was up I just cried and cried though. Then it was time to go to the temple and I did and sat for arathi just taking these big deep breaths and I calmed down and just gazed at Anandaswara. I came home after my time there was done and sat with Maya for a while and then went to bed at a crazily early time for me (9:30!). Oh I forgot to mention one thing that happened that is really off topic, but cool. When I get frustrated as I have said before I go outside to relax, I did this at one point and jumped on my trampoline and for the first time in five years landed a full front flip. One day I just decided I couldn't do them anymore and stopped, but I wanted to see if I could still do them and I can!
Ok so then this morning I woke up feeling great so I guess I just needed to get whatever "it" was out of my system. I am taking a bike ride now, please check in later for more!

What do I do?

Hey Readers!

Usually when I have a problem, or I am frustrated about something I call my best friend Paz in Seattle and talk it over with her. Since she is very spiritual it's not like talking to just any other high school student, and usually by the time we finish our conversations I have an answer or at least have a better grip of the situation. It's like having a personal therapist or something, not that I've ever had one, but what I imagine it would be like. Anyway lately Paz has been totally unavailable faced with her own start of high school and all that work. The few times I have talked to her it really didn't help much, I mean it was nice to talk and get it out but it didn't make my problems disappear or at least seem a easier. The past three days of school have been so crazy, and frustrating. To the point were I am wanting to really do meditation, which I know will help but when I attempt to wake up at 4:45 to do it, I really can't get out of bed. I have tried to do a lot of unclutching yesterday and today which did help a bit, but I have lost practice with it and more then once there were times when I just felt so overwhelmed with a gazillion different emotions, and thoughts. So I haven't thought of a solution yet, somehow drag myself out of bed to do meditation? Re figure out the art of unclutching? I don't know. Maybe this entry seems totally depressing, and not inspiring (I am sure of that one) but I felt a need not to write just my happy experiences (yea I did this!!! Yea I did yoga today!!!) This blog is about my experiences, and trying to get through these first few weeks of sophomore year keeping all my different lives straight is an experience. Maybe it's not going so well at the moment, but hey! It's part of the journey. Check in for more of this teen's sophomore year stories soon!

Photo Credit: my dad took it, I just like this picture Maya so intently watching me wash the dishes and me slaving along (except not exactly cause I kinda like washing dishes)

Veg. V.S. Non-veg

This has to be a quick entry because I don't want to spend tomorrow yawning my way through biology, Spanish, and history again (like today) but I just wanted to talk about something that happened at school today. Last year I started a vegetarian club, remember? I think I told all you guys about it. Well today it officially started again. I think we are going to have a definitive number of people this year, which is awesome, cause it's more then last year. Our first "pre-" meeting went well we just talked about goals and plans for this and poster distribution kinda boring stuff although there was an interesting period were I mentioned we should bring a goat to lunch one day and explain to advocate vegetarianism so that bought up some interesting conversations as you can well imagine.
This whole concept of being vegetarian though, I want to talk about it for a few minutes. I became vegetarian about four years ago for a number of reasons 1. it was the "cool" thing in 6th grade. 2. I had a bunch of pet chickens.... and you get the point there {they all had names to, Fluffy, Coconut, Spice, Nutmeg, Pepper, Parrot, Cheerio, Dew Drop, Kali and Roostery Guy and and my favourite Pipsqueak} 3. I went to India and everyone there was vegetarian and I saw more dead goats then I ever want to see again, most of them ripped open and bloody and 4. I started doing meditation and for a true meditators/yogini's body you're not supposed to eat meat so I stopped.
There are so many good reasons to be vegetarian though, number one it saves lives, number 2, it helps the earth and number 3 it's good for you (if someone dares to comment on this entry "so where do you get your protein" it's gonna be ouch. I am one of the healthier people I know.
So to make a long story short cause I'm tired and don't even know what I am writing at this point go vegetarians and consider the practice if your not.

Photo Credits: Me!!! Delicious VEGITARIAN food I attempted to make (let's just say I need to work on cooking rice) but the enchiladas were pretty good (although they where baked... so I guess that makes sense. Ok going to bed now, good night!

Leadership

Just got back from the first away football game. My eyes are heavy with sleep, but I need to write this entry before I forget and I have a free fifteen minutes in which to do it (which considering my current way of life is a miracle)
So Leadership, don't know if that's supposed to be capitalized, really I don't think so, but I want to so there. Today after my band preformed our half-time show (part of it really) we went to sit on the track and watch as the home band preforms its show. As I was sitting there watching I remembered my first away game last year, how I was the little girl everyone would take care of. Last year I the "youngest" (I really was a year older then a lot of people, but as the only flute freshman I was like the youngest) all the other girls in my section all older then me (except not really cause I'm old for my grade) would help me tape my gloves down, and put my gauntlets on. They would fix my hat pushing extra hair under. They would educate me exactly where to go, how to step, etc. etc. etc. And really it was pretty nice, I am the older sister s it was fun getting to be the "baby"
This year though it's so different. Now with so many freshman (and other!) flutes I am having to take a much more responsible role, and a lot of the freshman where turning to me for help and advice as we prepared for the game. the 1/2 hour when I first reached the band room was utter craziness, no one could get their hair up properly so I was running around braiding, knotting, pushing in bobypins... then gauntlets ... ah gauntlets they really should outlaw those the wonderful trapezoidal pieces of cloth with silver button you Velcro around your wrist and lower forearm. Their hard to put on, and I figured it out and by the time it was time to go out on the field I had taped down more gloves and Velcro more gauntlets then I want to remember! But I'm not complaining. While I was doing all of this straightening hats "Emily are your gloves on tight enough?" "Lydia your gauntlet is upside down, here I'll fix it" "Ah loose foot joint, here is some electrical tape!" I had this real sense of purpose like I wasn't the little girl everyone had to help. I was The sophomore that people could turn to for help. So moral of my long (and hopefully interesting) monologue. I was gained this sense of leadership even more then ever before the past year. I have always been somewhat of a leader, I hate people telling me to "go do that" when I want to do this, but I feel like the leadership has also gotten more responsible, if that makes any sense.
It's not just in band either, among friends, and especially at the barn I feel I am acquiring a more responsible leadership. I can truly say taking that responsibility and leadership really helps one grow, I feel more confident about what I can do because of it. So that's about it, I am going to the temple for a bit soon, all night health and wellness program, or something like that. More later, comment and check in soon!

Picture Credits: Mom took it, it's me flying to responsibility/me jumping on my trampoline in the rain.

A Visiting Inspiration

Yesterday my family was at Miller's Nursery (my parents so they could look at the plants my sister and I to see the pygmy goats) we were feeding these two adorable goats some grain when we get a call from the New York City Coordinator Nithya saying he, his wife, and youngest daughter, spontaneously decided to make the 10 hour drive and come here, and where are we? Well we told them and they drove out to meet us. We hung out the whole day. We went for coffee, and went swimming and then attended all the temple rituals in the evening. For me the only Swamiji devotee around my age is Paz, in Seattle, which is awesome, I mean we are best friends and all, but what was really cool about these people is that the daughter Anissa is really into Swamiji too! it was great to be able to relate and talk to someone who is a devotee and a girl living in the U.S, going to public school, trying to explain to fellow classmates what a mala is, and all. it was very inspiring, to be around her I mean. She watches Swami's morning message every night, and does guru pooja everyday and her goal is to go to IA. It makes me want to be even more spiritual! more life updates later for now. If you want to read her spiritual blog (and get inspired too!) just go to http://theblissfullifeofharshini.blogspot.com/ and you will find it. Here is a picture of the pygmy goats at the nursery (they are just two cute not to post.

Anniversery!!!

Can you believe it?!!! I have been writing this blog for one year and one day now! (I meant to do this entry yesterday, but it was crazy busy, so never got around to it, anyway!)

To get me ready for this entry I read my very first blog entry. In some ways I would say the basis of this blog has stayed the same, but it has also changed in many ways. First and foremost My grammar and spelling is SOOOOO much better then it was last year. At least I think so, you may disagree if you want (I love spell check!) Second, even though I have been writing a lot less, and so I don't know if it is apparent I have started going into a more material world, more then the "spiritual" one I was in a year ago. At least that's my opinion. Now I am not saying this is a totally bad thing, but as I reflect on this I really don't want to become a total "material" person, and so this year I set a new goal for myself.

Goal for year two: I will do at least one "spiritual" this everyday. I put that in quotation marks because I don't want to be spiritual within the guidelines of one person's tradition or whatnot. I want it to more open. Like "being spiritual is meditating for 10 hours everyday, done." Not like that! I was able to write for a whole year, and yes their were gaps, but I wrote at the least an entry a month (and I know I did way more then that. So I can up my standards. and just between you and me readers, I started another blog about Maya (my cat if you don't remember) baking, and braiding, and I wrote two entries, but honestly there's just no spark for me. Although the "spark" sometimes gets dull It has always been there for me the past year and never once did I think about shutting this blog down. (As I have with the other one)

Coming to a close because I just got back from the band's second football game of the season and am tired, I want to thank you all so much for staying with me the past year readers, sticking by me and all that. And Swamiji I can't finish the year off without thanking you I mean you were the one that got me to start this thing! I feel it has grounded me in a way last year. Something that was there constantly that I could always go back to if I needed it, so again thank you.

Picture credits (I took it through a car window): The sun sets over the year...

First Day of School!

Hey Readers! So guess what was yesterday?! My first day of school! I was totally going to write yesterday, but it was really busy. Anyhow I am very happy with my schedule this year. I am taking two journalism classes this writing journalism (instead of a regular English class) and Video Production and Communication, also known as D-Town. I LOVE my honers bio class. Anyway the thing I really wanted to write about in this blog entry is my outlook on my classes. I will fully admit I have been a pretty horrible person to live with (or parent) the past few days. Now that school is started though I feel a lot more at ease for some reason. I don't know if it was that I was unconsciously stressed out about school, or perhaps I was just tired and board of doing nothing and now feel invigorated that I actually have a grander purpose (learning). The point is though I am feeling a lot more invigorated and less annoyed at my family.

Here is the other thing, During classes whenever the teachers ask the class to do something the whole class groans and complains, but I am so excited about every activity! I just think it's terrific and fun, and I can't wait to get started. This is with the exception of having math homework I didn't understand on day one, that I wasn't exactly thrilled about. I have also made quite a lot of new friends or at least acquaintances (it's only the second day of school anyway) So just wanted to express this recent development, in my very busy, but awesome life. I'll write again soon, so check in!

My dear Anandi

For those of you who don't know (I forget if I have mentioned it) Anandi is my pet name For Anandaswara. It may seem weird to give God a pet name, but when you see him a lot, and talk to him, it's hard to be always saying Anandaswara, and something like Lord, just seems to formal for the conversations I have with him. So and I call him Anandi. Anyway.

Yesterday I was doing the evening routine. First I set up for evening Ararthi and helped set up the pooja, and then sat for the pooja. Well during the pooja I was really hot, so Just like I was saying to a friend I said "Anandi, can you please cool it down in here, I'm super hot. I promise to try to be extra focused during arathi" (my mind tends to wander a lot during it) well at that point I had to light the arathi lamp and forgot about it. Well a couple minutes into arathi and I realized I was almost chilly, which was a huge contrast to the overly warm feeling I had experienced earlier. I looked up at Anandi and realized he had fulfilled my request. He had this totally satisfied expression on, after that I spent the remaining part of arathi (in addition to doing it) keeping my part.

The funny thing about this incident is, for the past few weeks I really haven't felt a big connection with Anandaswara. Sometimes when I walk into the temple I feel as if I am greeting my best friend, I feel he is smiling especially for me, and have lengthy complicated conversations with him about stuff, and then other times (such as the past few weeks) I feel he is a stranger, someone I don't know just sitting with Anandaswari staring into space. Kind of like in the movie Night at the Museum (good movie by the way, I highly recommend it, and number 2 as well) how at night the exhibits would be all alive, and then during day, just exhibits. This incident opened him back up for me now, and I feel we are good friends again, and I can relate to him.

Picture Credits: I took this picture a few weeks ago in Chicago, it's the front of the field Museum (not the Smithsonian which is the sight of Night at the Museum but I very good museum all the same. We went to the whale and horse exhibits, and it was awesome.

Round Pen

So today started out as an average day in the life of a high school band geek. Woke up went to band practice for 3 hours. Spent the afternoon watching movies with my sister, and then came the not s normal part that I will write about.
Today I taught my sister, Sophia how to round pen. Sophia used to ride horses, but hasn't in ... a long time. Now as she says she is into dance, and gymnastics, and acting, and her cat. Never the less she has come to the barn a few times, and helped out with the arts and crafts portion of one of the summer camps. During one of these camps she saw round pen work in action. If you don't remember what round pen work is (I can't remember if I have written about it previously and don't really feel like checking) I will quickly explain. Basically, from my limited understanding, you use a horse's natural instincts to become it's leader. Horses want a leader, but you need to prove you are capable, once you are their leader the horse will willing work with you. This is just a bare bones explanation. When you do round pen work you are in a circular shaped pen, you stand in the middle and the horse is on the outside, the horse has no bridle, halter, anything like that. It just you and the horse, and a special rope that is like a communication single, but sometimes you don't even need that. You ask the horse to do something and if they do it you reward them by taking off pressure you are supposed to look at them while you do this) Now when you think the horse is ready (and there are signs) you "join up" with him/her. You go up and talk to them pet them, then turn around and walk away, if they follow you they have joined up and it is successful. If not, you work more.
So I was teaching Sofia how to do this using an older horse (but not old). She is an Arabian mare named Kompania, she is a great teacher and was the first horse I ever did round pen work with just about a year ago. (that's the picture of her by the way, sorry it's not very good) Now Kompania only joins up with a few people, she has joined up with me and one therapy kid, that's all I know of, although I am sure there are more. But still not many, I don't think I was the best teacher, but I got the basic message across to Sofia, and then she worked on it. And they where a perfect team (in my opinion) I mean Kompania was no angel for Sofia, she tested her, and helped teach her, but I think that's good. And guess what? Kompania joined up with her! Followed her all the way around the ring. Riding horses, is awesome, but there something about round pen work that's just a little better. That moment when you realize the horse is following, that big, beautiful animal has chosen to join up with you is truly magical. And it's so great to be able to share it with someone!

Tieing on the Rakhi

Hey Readers,

Sorry I have not been posting much lately. But I finally have something interesting to write about!

Saturday was this Indian Holiday, I'm sorry but I can't remember the name, but what happens at it is you tie a "rahki" onto your brothers wrist. This is to symbolize your love and emotions for him, and to show you will support him the rest of his life. My brother lives in New York, and I was not able to go all the way there (although I do plan on sending him one as soon a I can) so I did it for a guy at our temple, who's like a brother to me. The thing this holiday made me realize though is, that there's just something so much deeper about Indian culture then the one I have been born into. I mean their are no holidays in this, (American) culture are about recognizing your siblings. OK so we have birthdays, but everyone celebrates that person's birthday (to a degree I mean). And it's not just one-sided. In return for the Rahki the brother will give his sister something, a gift or whatnot to show the same things, and to show he will always be there for her, isn't that amazing!? I think it is. I just wanted to write about that, about the holiday and what happens. I have a couple entries in mind now, so check back in soon!

New Post

Ahhhh I'm hitting "new post" for the first time in ages!

Well Monday was the beginning of a new year of marching band. Our show this year is A.L.W AKA The Themes of Andrew Lloyd Webber. So far we have been practicing the music, and we have learned only the very first part of the first song, marching wise. Besides that we have just been doing basics. There are sooooo many freshman this year! This was just pre-band camp, real band camp starts on Monday.

I don't have much of interest to write about, I just wanted to get something up on this blog, helped out all the temple this morning, cleaned the upstairs bathroom of my house, read....

Right now it's storming outside. I can see the rain rain coming down in gusts from a grey sky. Tried to take a picture, but it didn't work. Anyway just trying to stay blogging, I'll try and write something interesting later

Talking Inspiration

Hi All!

Last night I was telling a guy who came to the temple about Nithya Dhyaan. The guy told me how he is stressed out lately at work, and though he would try meditation. So I started convincing him to do Nithya Dhyaan, telling him about it's benefits and what a great meditation it was and all that. Well I am telling him all this and then going, man! why have I not been doing this meditation lately?! Cause I haven't. Well he agreed to come for a Nithya Dhyaan class, and I finished up my temple work and went home, then set my alarm clock for a time I wouldn't normally ever get up during summer break.

Well This morning I got up and did Nithya Dhyaan! So go me, we shall see how many days this lasts, but I am hoping for 21.

P.S. This is Lake Michigan, I took this picture 2 days ago when we went there.

Kayaking

Hello Readers!

Today, I did not do yoga. (I woke up to late) Instead my Dad and I took the purple Kayak, Kiwi to Delaware lake in the morning. So before it got unbearably hot (even though I am able to bear it, but a lot of people cannot). I paddled all the way across the lake, and then back (it's a smaller lake, one of Ohio's many man-made ones) which my dad said I wouldn't be able to do, but I was able to do it fine. Although I did get a little tired during the second half coming back. Since I still won't go to the gym, this is my way of getting my upper body exercise. Well my mother, sister and I are leaving for Michigan to visit family now, so I will write from there next!

Yoga!

Hello Readers!

So Guess who did some yoga today, the Teenage Yogini. OK so maybe by my name I am supposed to do yoga every day, but for about the past three months I have been extremely lazy in the exercise aspect of life, which includes yoga. But today I got up, took a shower then did about 15 minutes of yoga, I know that's not very much, but for someones (me) who has not done yoga in 3 months, it was good. I plan to do more tomorrow. Surprisingly it felt really good to stretch my body wake up muscles I don't normally use. More Later

P.S. This is a picture I took of Niagra falls when I went there about a week ago on my way back from Toronto

My Birhday

On July 12, 2011 I turned 16.

I actually meant to write this entry on my Birthday, and I did start it, I just never got around to finishing it. Well I spent the morning and early afternoon of my party at the barn helping out with Barn Buddies horse camp. Came home, changed and then had a small birthday party that I didn't exactly enjoy. After that I realized it's not about how you elaborate your birthday, the important thing is simply that it happened. Even though I did realize that (and I had a cake at the temple later on, I always do) I still wanted one special thing for my birthday. Swamiji's special blessing for my birthday. Well I was so excited and that night, he didn't give the morning message, just an insane. press conference in Chennai (the reporters were insane). I was pretty disappointed, but just had to hope that he would be on the following night. And he was! He was doing a scientific test on levitating, and talking about the press conference, so even though we had told the people over there, I was nervous that he would not see the message. He did not say it at the beginning when he usually announces everything, or in the middle when he got distracted and off topic, I pretty much gave up by that point I was going to get my birthday wish. And then at the very end he gave me a blessing!! He said my name, and blessing and said that I will be with him, and he will be with me, and it was so sweet and perfect. So Now i am content with my birthday.
Gurupoornima celebrations are tonight at the temple, simultaneously with India. Hopefully that will be something to write about!! More later!

The $10, 000+ Savior

Well about the miracle. So first night in Toronto, we ate dinner, then went to see the temple (which needed a lot of work and I really didn't think could be completed in just 5 days) all of the ladies piled into one woman's van and the guys got into a car. We started to drive home, the van was in front, then a car and then the guy's car. We stopped at a red light (as is normal) and the guy behind us (who was talking on the phone) smashed right into us, at a really high speed. The back window shattered, which was amazingly scary as I was sitting in the back seat of the van. I ducked my head down as the event unfolded. The car went through the light, and slid to a stop, the guy who crashed into us stopped his car and ran out, and then started to yell at the woman driving the van that she had stopped at a green light, which she had not. Well the police came and an ambulance, and the whole investigation took place, even though their was no blood or broken bones all six of us in the car went to the hospital to be checked out. All of us suffered minor injuries (back, head, and neck pain mostly).

Now going to the hospital was a bog thing in itself because I have a always had this big fear of hospitals, so the whole way there I was really nervous. We had to wait in the emergency room until 3:30 am just to see a doctor, we got there at 11:00. Finally when the doctor saw me all the pain had faded, and I just had a little chat with the doctor about Toronto. Here's the funny thing though, the hospital was OK! There were no pointy needles, and I didn't die, on the contrariety I had fun! I goofed off, played games on an cell phone laughed a lot, took pictures of my friends sleeping (other temple volunteers came with food, and kept us company through out the night)and used up all my quarters on the vending machine. It was really fun!

So miracle? Well we realized the next day that ....

OK there before we left the temple the temple head and the Canadian head discussed what to do with the large (I mean this is over 800 lbs) box of jewels and pooja supplies that was in the back of the van finally even though it took up the whole trunk they decided to leave it in the van.

We realized that that box had save our lives. It took the majority of the impact from the car that hit us. If the box had not been there the whole back of the car would squished inside, seriously maybe even fatally injuring me and the other girl in the backseat. Thankfully the wooden box was quite hard and the jewels where not damaged in any way. So thank you Swamiji!!

Travels

Hey Readers!!!

I haven't written in so long, but I have been sooo busy. First I was in Seattle which was amazingly fun. Then I came back to Ohio for just three days. Me and a couple of others spontaneously went to Toronto for the temple opening (well we knew we where going but we didn't think till a week later, so we left spontaneously). So now I am Toronto. The temple is offically opening with a grand celebration on July 10, which is in just 2 days (it's night, so today doesn't count). Everyone planned this big surprise for me, my best other teenage friend Paz came. So we have spent the past two days getting things ready for the opening. All deity stuff. I have got to do a lot with temples before, but never this important or behind the scenes close to the deities for an event. Whenever there was an event before people made the really good people do those things, but now I am getting the opportunity which feels really special.

It's really special getting to be here for the opening, sort of awakens WHY I am doing all this. When you are at your temple it's just the same people, the same thing and you just get used to it, and kind of take advantage. But being the people are sooo grateful to get a temple, it's really inspiring. The other thing is it makes me realize how much I don't know!! In Ohio it's basically more routine then knowing. I have learned the Ohio deities alankar, but just on those deities. I have learned how to prepare for Ohio's abishekum (sacred bath) but just there. So being here is a.) teaching me LOT'S of new stuff. 2.) showing what I do need to learn, which I think is kind of that lesson people are always telling you in life. That there is always someone better, but adding to that in my case, don't just accept that, strive to learn what you don't know. So I have a really big Swamiji Miracle to tell you all involving my life, but tomorrow. Keep checking, and commenting!

It's All Over!

Here's the thing, unlike all the rest of my movies that I have made I enjoyed just about every second of making this movie. It was about 6 hours of filming everyday this week, and sure I got tired and grouchy but I really enjoyed working with the actors, and crew. But It's all over now and tomorrow I head for Seattle. I know I already wrote I long sappy blog entry all about this movie so I won't write anymore on the subject. One thing I do have to say (the main reason I wrote this email) is that I so far have not been able to post the video. I'll keep trying and am open to any suggestions. Write to you later (in Seattle!!).

Filming, Packing, and Shopping

Hi Readers!!

So I have been crazy busy lately. First filming. It's going well, we totally ditched the script and are making up the movie as we go along. Of course keeping to the same basic outline, but really changing it. It's been a fun experience, we have one day of filming left. Tomorrow, but it's going to be much different then all of the other days. (It's a coronation scene, Lot's of makeup and fancy outfits). One thing about this movie is that I really wanted it to be perfect. I really fell apart twice before it was even started because it wasn't exactly how I imagined. But I've really had to let go about it, and you know what? Even though it's obviously an armature movie, some of the acting it despicable, and some of the sets are pathetic I really enjoyed making it, and I mean it's funny, in a sort of slap-comedy way. I'll try to figure out a way to post it here.

On top of that I am going to Seattle on Saturday. My best friend lives there and we get to meet once a year. (I mean we COULD meet more, but the price of airline tickets these days....) Last summer she came here. I have been to Seattle once before, but I was about five and don't remember almost anything, so it should be fun. This friend is also very big with Swamiji and the mission so I will be getting to go the Nithyananda Vedic Temple in Seattle.

I wrote shopping in my title, lots of shopping to get ready for this trip. Maybe one day I'll learn to unclutch from shopping, but currently it's still something that I view as a teenage torture method. So that's all hope you guys comment!!

Day of filming one

Yes I know the title is all messed up, but I like it that way so there.

Today was day one of filming. It dd not go at all how I expected but I guess you just have to "go with the flow" to get stuff done. At about 1:15 all my actors arrived the two sisters from Tim Horten's who I will name here Victoria (the younger, actress) and Sarah (the older sister) and another girl and....

OK let me cut to the chase. So everyone showed up, and no one really knew each other, so introductions where kinda strange, but it all worked out. 45 minutes late 7 of us (director, costume manager, and videographer included) are all out in the woods. Two and a half hours later we finally finished shooting scene three (movies are usually filmed out of sequence). Quickly filmed scene 4 (walking down a forest path) and then had to go back in. The day was very successful in my personal opinion, and the group only came out with one skinned knee, my (the director's) arms covered in scrapes, a mud covered white T-shirt and a broken cup. Which I think is very good since this movie is shot n the middle of a forest and there where no trails leading to the clearing where we where shooting. Here are a few pics from day one.

Wow, thanks!

Every summer I make a movie. It's all part of wanting to be a film director when I am older. This summer I am making a Medieval movie (I always make a medieval movie) but this one turned into more of a comedy, which is what I wanted it to be. Well the script is a comedy. We'll see what happens when it's all filmed and edited. Speaking of filming this brings us to this entry. Yesterday while sitting at a table at Tim Horton's (bad hot chocolate, good iced coffee) I was all depressing and groaned to my parents that I would have to cancel the movie, cause I didn't have a lead actress and didn't have the proper sets and it was all a big mess and blah blah blah, when one of the girls from my sister's dance class walks in (still in her costume). She says hi to me, and I say hi back and that's that. Well my mum drags me over and is like "Hey you look like an actress my daughter is making a movie and needs one. Would you like to be in it?" and so she's like "yeah! I'd love to!!!" And well I got my lead actress (according to her sister and parents she's a great actor).
On top of that it turns out her sister (my age and grade) also happens to be a film maker and has lots of nice equipment. So she is the official videographer now. So that's all great, thanks existence!!

The last few days

Hi Readers!!

Today was my second to last day of school, if you can even call it a day. I only had one exam today, and it was for English, which means for me it was easy, and I got to go home early (9:30 am) so I am pretty much lounging around my house. I have to start studying for tomorrows exams soon, but before that I am going kayaking in the river (my new favorite hobby) So just thought I should write something Oh one last thing. I wanted to tell, I don't know if this was because of more effective studying, or I have better brain power or what, but this time my exams are so much easier then ever before. Usually they are horrible for me, but this time they are/where practically easy!! So just wanted to share!

Forest Serenity

Ever since I was a baby my parents have always gotten me to relax and calm down by going outside. I mostly grew up in a town where everyone walked or rode bikes, so it wasn't a problem to be outside a lot. In Delaware though I seem to very rarly be out of doors. I just go out once in a while. Getting to the point though out of all the places outside that I feel the best, forests are the number one. I just can't quite explain what happens or how it happens but when I go into a forest this huge feeling of relaxation just goes into my body and mind. I have less thoughts and I just feel relaxed. Yesterday my dad and I went to a state park and a few weeks before that I was in Yellow Springs, Ohio and went walking in the glen both times I excpirened a calm that I feel no where else. When I go into the forest behind my house I excpirence the same feeling of calm serenity. Even seeing a forest puts me in a calmer state. I can't explain why this is, but I wanted to share this so enjoy. Also this picture was taken by my dad yesterday at the forest.

From Swamiji: Unclutch

Today something happened at school that FORCED me to unclutch. Basically it involved my English class and a big end of the year project. I didn't agree with some of the ideas the group wanted to do, but was not at school the day before to suggest a different idea, so when I was able to talk to the group, it was already the day of filming. The group got mad at me for wanting to change the plan so late into the project, and with full reason, but I hadn't even thought of this until my mom and I where talking. Well they told the teacher, who asked me so everyone gets what they need will I consider leaving the group. I don't know what happened, maybe I was still recovering from the long previous day (school visits) but I was practically in tears! He asked me if I would think about it and come back to him.
The whole day I could not focus on my work, I kept weighing the options. Start the project all over myself or, do the project with the group and burn books (that was their idea.) In math period 4/5 I think my friend was practically ready to strangle me because all though out the notes I kept groaning "what should I do" then in science when I was glaring at everyone who talked to me (I am usually a pretty nice person) a boy who sits cross from me said "Just blow it off" talking a big exaggerated breath and moving his arms in a sweeping gesture. I looked at him quizically and he said "let go of it" And so I thought, "oh yeah unclutch!" and so I did.

I am not saying my problem got solved there, but from relaxing I think I made the right desision. Also when an older girl in band volunteered to help me, if I needed itn so I decided to do the project myself. I think I have been, OK I have been, really uptight about everything lately and this was Swamiji's way of just saying "unclutch!" Hope your all doing well!

More Schools

Hi Readers!

How are you all? Sorry I haven't written in a few days, I have been quite busy though. One of the things I have been doing was that today I went to visit two differnt schools. I enjoyed my self although because of the different school days I was "at school" about nine hours, which was to say the least tireing, but I think I have almost made my desision where to go next year, although poor you guys I shall not be sharing until fall. OK that's all for now, talk to you soon

Please comment!!!!!!

A New School

Yesterday I visited a new school called The Graham School. I have seen and visited many schools in my 15 years. Elementary was pretty steady started out at the public Kindergarten. Switched schools, and repeated kindergarten and then stayed at that school (the Antioch) for seven years. That school was, (and is) amazing, but it only goes till sixth grade, so I had to find a new school. In the span between those two academic years I went to India with my mum, during that time period I stayed at the Gurukulam, the resident school in the Bidadi Ashram. There where so many things to get used to there from the Indian toilets (AKA a hole in the ground) to spicy food EVERY SINGLE DAY, to sleeping in a doom room, but I ended up loving it there. Then I was subjected to three years of public school. Oh I forgot I also visited the Arther Morgan School in North Carolina which I totally would have gone to, except it was in North Carlina. and the tuition was REALLY pricey. Anyhow

Now that you know my school history the Graham school. First off everything was so relaxed and loose. I honestly didn't know what to do! In both the Gurukul and public school kids are kept on a tight schedule. In public you can get detention if you simply stand up out of your seat, but at this school kids seemed to just wander in and out of the classes. I was told a huge amount of what goes on there is based on responsibility the kids get there work, and it's up to them to do it. Of course all schools are like that, kids have the choice to not do there work, and meet the consequences, but that responsibility was intensified twenty fold at Graham. I have not decided if I want to go there or not, but I am definitely keeping it an open option.

A very ful saturday

Uncreative title, I know but my news is good so stay tuned.

First off yesterday the Nithyananda Vedic temple - Ohio got a shipment (in two semi-trucks) of 32 Shiva lingas!! They are in parts, have to be put together, but it's really exciting. Just as they where being unloaded it started to rain. and I don't mean a light drizzle, it felt like the skies were dumping the ocean on us!! So I said to everyone that it was like the Lingas wanted a bath after their long journey and so got an abishesekum. I got a video and pics, if you want to see the pics go to http://www.vedictempleohio.org/ListPhotosNew.aspx?Album=5606954426871670177

Swamiji gave his talk to youth later that night. His man message was that you (person) needs to figure the three main things in their life. For me I would say that is home, temple, and school. Then you need to remove all the joy and suffering related to those objects by simply disregarding it. He said that if you say "Oh I'll just remove the suffering" it won't work. You must go to the root of the problem and disregard both. If you do this then you will be in continuous bliss. I have been doing it for two days today is my third. He said try the technique for three days, but I think I am going to try it longer then that. At first I was really confused I mean how do you disregard the joy and suffering??? But I just leaped in and tried and if I am totally conscious then I can do it. He also talked about how you should use your body and mind to it's fullest potential and that tiredness is a sin. It was a great talk, Go Swamiji!!!

I wanted to post this entry on Saturday, but never got around to it. So here it is enjoy!!

Testing...

One year ago I took my end of year exams in either grade. The reading and writing exams went great, they always do. Math... not so much. Today I got my scores back from the PLAN tests I took back in March and it was the same sinerio. But yesterday I took the first part of my end of year exams (we have a state one, and a teacher written one) this was the state one. I think I did pretty decent on it. Of course I won't see my scores till late this summer, but I think I did good.

On another note I did my Nithya Dhyaan in the morning yesterday, today woke up late again and then had a bunch of stuff after school, but this time, unlike all those other times (you know what I am talking about) I am going to stay true to my commitment. So even though it is 11:00 at night (yes, I know your asking, "well why are you writing then!?") I am going to go and do Nithya dhyaan as soon as I press post, but I just felt I had to update all of you.

P.S. Today a truck arrived hauling two big ... truck ... things that contained 32 Shiva Lingas. For now they are just seperate parts in crates, and will probably sit in the temple parkinglot for the next 6 months, but never the less soon we are going to have so many Shiva Lingas!! I am going to make a video of their arrival and also when they are unloaded (that will be tomorrow) for the news so I'll make sure to post the link on my blog. Ok gotta meditate now, talk to you soon, comment!

Second Day/ Youth

I have just completed (by just I mean 30 seconds ago) my second day of my Nithya Dhyaan commitment. Today was a lot harder then yesterday. I wanted to do it in the morning, but I didn't wake up early enough so I had to do it when I came home from school. So just wanted to tell you all that

On a different note I am really excited, because this Saturday instead of eN Kriya Swamiji is doing a special event for youth. The event is called Transform yourself, and then the World. I think it's going to be great and have already talked to some of my friends at school about it. Although I got no yeses I got lots of I'll think about its, and I have to checks. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If any of you young readers out there want to come just leave me a comment, or check the Nithyannanda Ohio Vedic Temple website for details. I don't no much yet, just that the youth that come get to talk directly with Swamiji and ask questions and such, oh yeah and that it's gonna be amazing!!

Calm Chevy Calm

Chevy... Not the truck. Actually Chevy is that gorgeous black mare above whom is graciously allowing me to sit astride her back. Chevy is about 4 years old and is an Arabian paint cross, if you care to know. She has not really been trained yet and so that is one of the things I do when I go to the barn. It is also my favorite thing, and where I am learning the most. Chevy is both one of the sweetest horses I have ever met and one of the sassiest. Because of that one of her nicknames is Sassafras (the other one is Pretty Girl). Now with Chevy she has to learn so many things to be able to carry a rider, thankfully for me who is helping teach her, sh is very attentive. She respond great to leg movements (press gently with a leg and she moves in opposite direction away from pressure). The two main things I am currently trying to work with her on is trotting and relaxing. Chevy is coiled like a spring when you ride her, on one hand she will just mosey around the ring and does act ver non-chalant, but if ANYTHING happens she goes nuts. Not as bad as some horses but she does have a habit up leaping into the air and galloping forward, which as you might imagine may be unsettling. For trotting she is very nervous about why this bulk sitting on her back wants her to go forward and then stays on her back... I mean would't you?

So now that you have ALL the background info... One thing that I have really had to work on is staying calm. The second I tense up, so does she, and if she is already scared because of something, well it would not be good for me to become tense, so no matter what happens I have to stay very calm. The first week I had to really put this concept into practice it was hard she kept leaping forward when I asked for a simple trot. We where in a tiny cramped space. On top of that she kept trying to scrap me off onto the walls and twice she tried to trow me off. It was mostly because she simple did not understand what was going on, this was new to her. So in all that I had to stay calm, this week today, she went into the trot fine but then leaped into a canter not just once, but multiple times, when I got nervous she went faster, but by staying calm she slowed down. Since your probably getting board by now (or back in paragraph one) I'll wrap this up. Basically I wanted to say how good it is to be calm because I sure with went on with Chevy, really is displayed in all aspects of life. So be calm
I will be updated how things are going with Chevy. So stay tuned

Mother, Daughter, Meditation

Hey Everyone!

So I broke my promise, I'm sorry. Pictures are on my dad's phone see, and I couldn't get them off, but I will asap. I do have some new pictures though, as you can see. (that's my now almost grown up cat Maya, remember her?)

So what's this entry about? Well look at the title. If that doesn't make sense (and it probably doesn't) keep reading. For the past few weeks I have been really rubbing shoulders with my mom, and thats not in a positive way. It seems that we are always arguing and stuff, yes I realized that, obviously. I have also been loosing my temper easily and getting quite annoyed of late. So on Sunday my mother had a sit down talk with me. Ok It wasn't really a sit down talk cause we where talking home from the temple, but all you out there who are or were teens get the point. I don't really feel like reveling all the little details of our talk but we can sum it up to my parents where annoyed I was being so well grrraaaarrrr all the time and also didn't like me arguing. My mom told me I needed to start really doing meditation again. Nithya Dhyaan or eN Kriya. After more arguing, and some threats, I agreed. So this morning i set my alarm for 4:30 (I like to snooze it about 10 times.) finally woke up at 5:14 officially "borrowed" my dad's ipod and nithya dhyaan. I can't say it was like a wow, that was so amazing! kinda thing, but it was sort of refreshing. So 20 more days to go (until I reevaluate) my current plan is to do Nithya Dhyaan for 21 days and then do eN Kriya for 21 days and see where I am at the end of that. So There should be updates. Many more entries coming soon!